Come to the Banquet
“For many are invited, but few are chosen.” (Matthew 22:14)
This year, many wedding ceremonies took place, but due to lockdowns, restrictions, and social distancing, the weddings were much different than first planned.
- In one case, the bride and the groom, the maid of honor and the best man, the parents of the couple, and the pastor were the only people present at the wedding.
- In another situation, a mother told me this past summer that her daughter was getting married. The guest list had included 200 people. Now, there would be only 20 attending the wedding.
- The wedding ceremonies are happening, but many wedding receptions are being postponed until sometime next year.
Many people wanted to attend these weddings, but health regulations and guidelines kept them from doing so. Sometimes things just don’t work out as we would like them to.
God could say that also. Things don’t always work out as I would like them to. The Word says, “For many are invited….” Paul wrote to Timothy, “God our Savior wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
Invitation after invitation was sent out to attend this wedding for the king’s son. The king sent out his servants to those who had been invited and urged them to come, but they refused to come.
He sent out more servants and they said, “Everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.” But they paid no attention. One went to his field; another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them, and killed them” (Matthew 22: 5, 6). In response, the king killed those who had been invited.
The kingdom of heaven is the wedding banquet. “For many are invited, but few are chosen.” Others were invited, and the wedding hall was filled with guests. Not everyone who is invited to the kingdom of heaven will come. They reject the Word of God. In their unbelief, they turn away from the Lord and his gracious invitation. They end up outside “in the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 22: 13).
Come to the banquet! You and I are so thankful that we have been invited to the kingdom of heaven, and by faith, we graciously accept that invitation. Jesus is the way to this heavenly wedding banquet, and he gives us a seat at the table with all of the saints and angels. Jesus is the one who makes this kingdom banquet our hope and our future. He was willing to live his life for us, to die on the cross for us, and then to rise again in glory. By faith, we are guaranteed a place with him in his heavenly kingdom. And that place is ours forever. “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
Prayer: Dear Lord God, thank you for inviting us to your wedding banquet. You have given us the gift of faith to accept your invitation. In faith, we promise to remain faithful to you until we take our place at this heavenly banquet. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.